Self-locking seal.



No. 7|0,634. Patented Oct. 7, I902.

E. TYDEN.

SELF LOCKING SEAL.

(Application filed. Dec. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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m: Norms P IINTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL TYDEN, OF HASTINGS, MICHIGAN.

SELF-LOCKING SEAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 710,634, dated October '7, 1902. Application filed December 23, 1901. Serial No. 86,981. (No model.

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL TYDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hastings, in the county of Barry and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Locking Seals, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved self-locking seal of the general class in which there is a hollow bulb attached to one end of a flexible strap or band, the other end of which is adapted after being inserted through the hasps or staples or an eye in the device to be secured by it to be thrust into the bulb and there engaged automatically with the locking device.

It consists in the improvementsin the form of the locking device and means for retaining it in proper position in the bulb and in details of construction fully set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an axial section of my improved seal. Fig. 2 is a section at the line2 2 on Fig. 1, showing the locking device in position prior to locking. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the seal with strap inserted, but the locking not effected. Fig. 4: is a similar view showing the seal locked. Fig. 5 is a section of the rings constituting the locking device.

The shell or bulb comprises the domeA and the diaphragm or base A.

B is the securing-strap. It penetrates the bulb protruding therefrom at one end a short distance and having its principal length protruding at the other end. It is made rigid with the shell in any convenient manner, as by being formed with the small shoulders I) b, which are stopped at the under side of the aperture a at the crest of the dome, through which one end of said strap emerges, and by similar shoulders I) b, similarly stopped at the margin of the aperture to at the base or diaphragm of the shell, and by being soldered to the edges of the apertures CL and a. Thus secured there is left in the apertures a and a at the side of the strap opposite the surface which is soldered to the edges of said apertures sufficient space to admit the other end of the strap, which may be thrust through the shell at these apertures after being inserted through the device to be secured.

C G are two rings within the bulb, which constitute the locking device. In the preferred form of these rings in which they are shown they are made of sheet metal cut first in the annular form and then having struck up from one surface a bead c to stiffen them. They are then rifted at one point by an oblique out, leaving the crest of the bead at one side of the cut overhanging or lapping the portion divided therefrom at the other side, as clearly seen in Fig. 3. The rings made in this form may be nestedthat is, lodged one upon the other, with the head of one seating in the opposite recess or cavity under the bead of the other. In construction the two or more of these rings employed are assem bled that is, nested-with their said oblique slots coinciding and spread at said slots, so that they may be passed over the edge of the strap 15, as seen in Fig. The strap B has an ap erture B in the portion which is secured in the shell, and the rings 0 c, &c., are lodged upon the strap in the manner described, with their laterally-spread ends clasping the latter between them at a point a little above-that is, toward the crest of the bulb from the position of said aperture. Any convenient means may be employed to oppose the movement of the rings down to the aperture, but not to prevent such movement absolutely when sufficient pressure is applied. I have shown as the means for effecting this result a slight deflection of the strap just above the aperture in the path which the clasping ends of the rings would have to follow to reach the aperture, such deflection I3 making a little extra pressure upon the ring necessary to force it over the obstruction of the deflection. The natural resiliency of the rings from the stiffness imparted by the bead causes it to stand normally in the position shown in Fig. 2 when spread to clasp the strap, and in this position it will be noticed that an acute angle is formed between either face of the strap and the proximate face of the ring. At one side it is the crest or edge of the bead which makes this angle with the proximate surface of the strap, while at the other side it is the oblique face of the cut made across the head which makes like angle with the surface of the strap at that side. It is immaterial which of these surfacesof the strap is the one lodged against and soldered to the margin of the apertures a and a of the shell; but I have shown the strap secured at the first-mentioned surfacethat is, the one which makes the acute angle with the crestso that the other acute angle formed between the opposite surfaces of the strap and the oblique cut of the bead is presented toward the orifice remaining for the insertion of the free end of the strap. The strap has near its free end a slit B large enough to permit the rings to freely pass through the same. The end of the strap is preferably cut away to give it a slight taper, such taper ending in a slight shoulder G This shoulder is at such position thatwhen the end of the strap is inserted down through the aperture a alongside the fixed end of the strap, thence down into the acute angle between the oblique cut of the ring and the proximate surface of said fixed end, and thence on between the said obliquely-cut end of the ringand the strap the shoulder encounters the opposite side of the ring at the time the slot reaches said obliquely-cut end and becomes lodged therein. The further intruding movement of the strap causes the shoulder to carry the ring with it, sliding it down on the fixed end of the strap over the obstruction of the deflection B until the ends of the rings come opposite the aperture B, when the rings will recoil into closed position, the ends taking immediately through the aperture,aud thus by engagement through both the aperture Band the aperture B securing the inserted end of the strap in the bulb. The recoil tendsto cause the rings to fly around in the apertures, so that the slits no longer coincide therewith, and the same cause-to wit, the recoiltends to separate the two or more nested rings which will not recoil equally, and this makes their slits take different positions instead of being, as they are up to that point, coincident. By the time this engagement has been effected the end of the strap is protruded entirely through the bulb and appears at the base, closing the crevice remaining of the aperture a, and thus tends to prevent access into the shell for the purpose of tampering with the look.

I do not limit myself to the particular form of rings shown made of sheet metal with a bead, as described, though it has ad vantages, such as the nesting of one within another, tending to keep the beads concentric after they are locked, and making it somewhat difficult to discover the location of the respective slots, and also having the effect to make them assume without special contrivance the position relative to the secured end of the strap Which is shown in Fig. 2-that is, presenting an acute-angled entrance for the inserted end of the strap between the fixed end and the ring. Substitutes for these ad vantages may in part be obtained with other forms of ring in ways which willbe obvious to the mechanic. Neither do I limit myself to the described method for holding the rings in position in which they are assembled and prevent them from being crowded onward to the position at which their ends might engage the aperture 13 before the end of the strap becomes practically entered through the slit in the rings, so as to have the ends of the latter engage its slot 13*. Other means beside the deflection of this strap at B will occur to the mechanic, and substitution of other means for this purpose would not be a departure from myinvention.

It will be clear upon consideration that the portion of the strap which is fixed within the shell has a function of its own distinct from that of the securing-strap proper, and I do not limit myself to making this strap or bar on which the lapped ends of the ring are clasped within the shell as a part of the securing-strap.

I claim 1. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap; a ring lodged within the shell havingits-ends lapped by each other and adapted to be spread laterally to admit the strap between them; means for holding the ring in the shell with its lap exposed in the path of entry of the strap,and such strap having an aperture through which the lapped ends of the ring may pass when the strap is entered between them; and means by which the full entry of the strapreleases the ring from the holding device.

2. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap, such strap having one end permanently secured to the shell and the other end adapted to be inserted into the same at the said aperture; a ring lodged within the shell having its ends lapped by each otherand adapted to be spread to admit the strap between them; means for holding the ring in the shell with its lap exposed in the path of entry of the strap, the strap having an aperture through which the lapped ends of the ring may pass when the strap is entered between them; and means by which the full entry of the strap releases the ring from the holding device.

3. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap, and such strap having one end extended within and permanently secured to the shell, and the other end adapted to be inserted through the apertures alongside the secured end; a ring within the shell having its ends lapped by each other and clasping the strap fixed within the shell between them, said portion of the strap having within the shell an aperture through which the ends of the ring may pass; means for resisting the movement toward such aperture of the ring clasped on the strap, the free end of the strap being adapted when inserted in the shell to enter the lap of the ring alongside the fixed end, and having an aperture adapted to lap the aperture of the fixed end and to receive the lapped ends of the ring, and provided with means for disengaging the ring after said aperture reaches said ends and for carrying the ring to the aperture in the fixed end.

4. Aself-lockingsealcomprisingashell and a securing-strap having one end fixed in the shell and the other end adapted to be inserted into the shell alongside the fixed end, the shell having apertures to permit such insertion; a plurality of rings lodged in the shell having their ends lapped by each other and clasping between them the fixed end portion of the strap within the shell, said fixed end portion having an aperture beyond the point at which it is clasped by the rings, adapted to receive the ends of the rings, the free end of the strap having an aperture also adapted toreceive said ends of the rings, and being adapted to enter the lap of the latter when inserted alongside the fixed end, and provided with means for moving the rings after its aperture reaches their ends, carrying said ends to the aperture in the fixed portion of the strap.

5. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap; a plurality of rings having their ends respectively lapped by each other; means for holding them in the shell with their laps all exposed in the path of entry of the strap; the securing-strap adapted when entered to pass into the laps of the rings and having an aperture to receive their ends, and provided With means for releasing the rings from the holding devices after the aperture reaches said lapped ends.

(5. In a self-locking seal having as the locking device a ring which is lodged unattached within the shell when the locking is elfected, such locking-ring being made of sheet metal annularly beaded and having its ends lapped by being cut obliquely through the head.

7. In a self-locking seal having for the locking device a plurality of rings which are unattached when the locking is effected, such locking-rings being made of sheet metal annularly beaded and adapted to be nested bead within head, the ends of such rings being rendered lapped by being cut obliquely across the head.

8. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap; a strap or bar fixed within the shell; a securing-strap adapted to be inserted through the aperture into the shell; a ring having its ends lapped and clasping the fixed strap or bar between them, and having its lap thereby held exposed in the path of entry of the securing-strap, the latter having in its inserted end an aperture to receive the lapped ends of the ring, and means by which itis adapted to dislodge the ring from clasping position on the fixed strap by its movement after said aperture reaches said ends.

9. A self-locking seal comprising a shell apertured to admit a securing-strap; a strap or bar fixed within the shell; a securing-strap adapted to be inserted through the aperture into the shell; a locking-ring having its ends lapped and clasping the fixed strap or bar between them, said strap or bar having one face in the path of entry of the securing-strap, whereby the ring clasped thereon is held with its lap exposed in said path of entry, the securing-strap having in its end an aperture adapted to receive the lapped ends of the ring; and means by which it dislodges the ring from clasping position on the fixed strap or bar by its movement after such aperture reaches the lapped ends.

10. A self-locking seal comprising an apertured shell; a securing-strap adapted to be inserted through the aperture; a strap or bar fixed within the shell having one face in the path of entry of the securing-strap; a locking-ringhaving its ends lapped and clasping the fixed strap or barbetween them, whereby the ring is held with its lap exposed within the path of entry of the securing-strap, the latter having an aperture adapted to receive the lapped ends of the ring, the fixed strap or bar having an aperture adapted to receive said ends located beyond the position at which said ends are clasped on said bar; and means by which the movement of the securing-strap after its aperture reaches the lapped ends, carries said ends to the aperture in the fixed strap or bar.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, at Chicago, Illinois, this Hth day of December, A. D. 1901.

EHIL TYDEN.

In presence of- A. 0. BROWN, Nona COOPER. 

